The oil and gas industry continues to develop actively in Turkmenistan, remaining one of the key sectors of the national economy. One of the significant achievements was the successful drilling of the ‘Atabay-1’ appraisal well at the ‘Atabay’ field in the Ak Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, which is part of the Central Karakum gas-bearing region, reports AsmanNews.

The well reached a design depth of 1,200 metres, and during exploration and testing of nine formations of the upper and lower Cretaceous period, eight were found to be gas-bearing. Particular attention was paid to the industrially significant inflow of environmentally friendly, sulphur-free natural gas with a flow rate of 284,000 cubic metres per day at a depth of 1,136-1,134 metres.

It is planned to transfer the well to production management for commissioning, which will expand the supply of ‘blue fuel’ to consumers, strengthen the country's energy security and increase its export potential. The introduction of modern technology and equipment increases the efficiency of gas field development and confirms the consistent development of Turkmenistan's oil and gas and geological sectors.